Cigarette making machine



April 25, 1933. F, F, RUAU CIGARETTE MAKING MACHINE Filed Sept. 5, 1931 Patented Apr. 25, 1933 UNITED STATES FELIX rBEDEmc' mum, or nar'rronn, LONDON, ENGLAND CIGARETTE MAKING MACHINE Application filed September 5, 1931, Serial No. 561,481, and inGi-eat iritain september 12, 1930.

This invention is for improvements in or relating to cigarette making machines, and refers more particularly to a device of the typewhich separates cigarettes produced by a cigarette making machine of the continuous rod type in such a manner that cigarettes, having their corresponding ends disposed in. opposite directions, are arranged in separate batches with the cigarettes of each batch having their corresponding ends disposed in the same direction.

In the manufacture of cork or like tipped cigarettes produced by a cigarette ma mg machine of the continuous rod type, the sev ered cigarettes as they leave the cutting mechanism have their tipped ends arranged adjacent to one another and it is therefore necessary to deliver the cigarettes in batches in which the cigarettes of each batch have their tipped ends disposed in the same direction.

The invention consists of an improved device of the type referred to which comprises in combination a conveyor operable to receive the successive cigarettes as they are severed from the rod and displace the same axially from one another, a pair of rotatable vanes or the like each adapted to rek the clgarettes the working faces of. the vanes move alternate cigarettes from said conveyor and move the same in a direction transverse to the axis of the rod and frictional means adapted to brake the axial speed of the cigarettes, which are thereafter deposited in two rows on a second conveyor movable in a direction at right angles to theaxis of the rod.

The invention will be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 is an elevation of a portion of a cigarette machine showing the invention applied thereto.

Fig. 2 is a plan of Fig. 1. I Fig. 3 is an end view, partly in section, taken in the direction of the arrow A in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged view, similar to Fig. 3.

Referring to the drawing, the cigarettes from the cutting mechanism of the machine rapidly thanthe cigarette rod so that each livered to the conveyor belt 6 so that the pass into the trough 1, each cigarette pushing'the preceding cigarette along the trough.

The cigarettes pass one at a time on to the endless tape 2 which is moving more cigarette becomes separated a short distance from its successor. y

' In order to facilitate the separation, a rapidly rotating disc 3 which may be shaped as shown and preferably made of felt or similar material, is' mounted above the tape and arranged'to contact with a cigarette so that immediately the latter is lightly gripped between the'tape "and roller, its speed 1s increased and it separates from the follow- 5 ng 'clgarette.

The cigarettes are conveyed by the tape beneath the shaft 4 carrying two' pairs of vanes 5 whichare rotated in the direction shown in 4, the arrangement being such that a vane of each pair contactswith an alternate 'ciga-rette and removes it from the tapeon to the conveyor belt 6 which moves at right angles to the cigarette rod. Two rows of cigarettes arertherefore formed on the belt, one inline with eachvane as shown in Fig) 2. 1 y f In order to arrest the axial movement of are covered at 7 with suitable frictional material, for example, emery cloth, and the vanes are so timed that the axial motion of the cigarettes is completely eliminated by friction an instant beforetheyare decigarettes are delivered in even rows and square to the belt. The cigarettes ass beneath a pair of hanging pieces 8 o fabric, or other suitable material, which lightly brushes over them and checks the somewhat rapid movement imparted to them by the vanes. y i

The various parts are driven by the gearing indicated in Fig. 1 and each set of vanes is driven through a clutch 9, a spring 10 pressing each vane carrier against the clutch.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters atent is 1. In apparatus for feeding cigarettes, the

combination with a conveyor operable to receive successive cigarettes in end to and relation as they are severed from the rod and displace the same axially from one another, 5 a pair of rotatable vanes extending substantially parallel to the direction of movement of the cigarettes, said vanes being each adapted to remove alternate cigarettes from said conveyor and move the same in a direction transverse to the axis of the rod and a roughened friction means carried by the vanes adapted to engage with and brake the axial speed of the cigarettes.

2. In apparatus of the class described, the

combinat1on with means for feeding cigarettes in a predetermined path in end to end relation, of means movable across the path of movement of the cigarettes for displacing the same laterally, said means being provided with a roughened cigarette engaging surface extending substantially parallel to the path of movement of the cigarettes to retard axial movement of the cigarettes.

3. In apparatus of the class described, the

combination with means for feeding cigarettes in a predetermined path in end to end relation, of a conveyor extending transversely of said means for receiving and forwarding the ci arettes with their axes extending lateral y of the conveyor, and a. device for discharging the' cigarettes from said first named means to said conveyor, said device being movable across. the said predetermined path and toward the conveyor and being provided with a roughened surface for extending substantially parallel to the path of movement of the cigarettes engaging the cigarettes to retard axial move- 40 ment thereof.

4. In apparatus of the class described, the combination with means for feeding cigarettes in a redetermined path in end to end relation, 0 a conveyor extending transversely of said means for receiving and forwarding the cigarettes with their axes extending laterally of the conveyor, a member rotatable on an axis arallel to the cigarette axis and provided with vanes extending substantially parallel to the axes of the cigarettes for propelling the cigarettes in the direction of movement of the conveyor, and roughened friction means carried byfsaid vanes for engaging the cigarettes to retard axial movement thereof.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my signature.

FELIX FREDERIC RUAU. 

